The LORD our King, Psalm 99

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 Psalm 99.  The LORD is King

"God governs the world by his providence, governs the church by his grace, and both by his Son. The inhabitants of the earth have cause to tremble, but the Redeemer still waits to be gracious. Let all who hear, take warning, and seek his mercy. The more we humble ourselves before God, the more we exalt him; and let us be thus reverent, for he is holy." Matthew Henry

We can be discouraged and disheartened in our lives as we look at what we see in an unruly world.  It is good to be encouraged that among all the changes and chances of this world that the LORD is King, and He reigns.

1.  Reigning LORD.

Let the people be deeply moved, or tremble. If we tremble before God, we will not be disturbed by the plans of men. 

He dwells above the Cherubim.  They are an order of angelic beings who never sleep and watch .  Revelation 4:8- "...each had six wings, ....saying , ' Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.."

We see three holy is He in the Psalm as well. vs 3, 5, & vs 9.

He is in control of all things.

He controls the choices of world leaders too - Prov.21:1: "A king's heart is a water channel in the Lord's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses."

He can do whatever He pleases.

Ps. 135:6: "The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths." Jeremiah 32:27: "Look, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?"

We are not puppets but we are His people,  and we know if we follow His commandments and His Word, we will find eternal life in this life and the life to come. 

Sometimes we try and plan so well that our plans fall apart.  We have to step back, and ask, " Is this what God is calling me to?"  

2.  He is holy, has Judgments and is Forgiving. 

V. 4  " The King ..loves judgment and righteousness."

Psalm 119 is one of the primary ways of knowing that.  It is split into segments and it is all about the Word, the Commandments , and our need to stay close.

vs 169-176)

LET my complaint come before thee, O LORD; * give me understanding according to thy word.

Let my supplication come before thee; * deliver me according to thy word.

My lips shall speak of thy praise, * when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word; * for all thy commandments are righteous.

Let thine hand help me; * for I have chosen thy commandments.

I have longed for thy saving health, O LORD; * and in thy law is my delight.

O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; * and thy judgments shall help me.

I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; * O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.

---Note that the Psalmist sticks in a key word in Psalm 99:8.  He led the people through the Pillar of  Cloud, answered them, and thou wast a God that forgave them.  That word means to lift, take or carry.  This is such a foreshadowing of how Jesus did that for us and How He continues to do that for us.  He carries us.  He forgives us .  

3.  Praise is what ends the Psalm.  Vs. 9

" Exalt Jehovah our God; and worship at His holy Hill; for Jehovah our God is holy."

"The happiness of Israel is made out by referring to the most useful governors of that people. They in every thing made God's word and law their rule, knowing that they could not else expect that their prayers should be answered. They all wonderfully prevailed with God in prayer; miracles were wrought at their request. They pleaded for the people, and obtained answers of peace. Our Prophet and High Priest, of infinitely greater dignity than Moses, Aaron, or Samuel, has received and declared to us the will of the Father. Let us not only exalt the Lord with our lips, but give him the throne in our heart; and while we worship him upon his mercy-seat, let us never forget that he is holy."  Matthew Henry.

We too are forgiven, healed and loved by God and in His Son Jesus Christ, carried, despite our waywardnessess...shortcomings, and lostness.  He does not forget us.  He had given us the Church as His footstool, the habitation of His people, where His Word, Commandments and laws are the foundation of our praise.  No, we are not left to our own.  He is our King, and He reigns in heaven and here as well , on earth.  No, we are not just wandering.  We are guided and governed by His wisdom, and we call Him Father. 

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